Incubator



J. F. M KAY Nov. 3, 1931.

INGUBATOR 7 ts-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 18, 1926 UN MmUNFPN INVENTOR:

John F. 121 mil y, BY fiA TTOR1\;EYS.

w WITNESSES Nov. 3, 1931. J, F, MacKAY 1,830,171

INCUBATOR Filed Sept. 18, 1926 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 WITNESSES INVENTOR:

I John If Maclf'ay, M 4%? WW ATTORNEYS.

Nov. 3, 1931.

J. F. KAY

INCUBATOR Filed Sept. 18, 1926 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR:

John F: Machay, By W a Tram;

WITNESSES 6W M -&

Nov. 3, 1931. J; F, MaCKAY 1 1,830,171

INCUBATOR Filed Sept. 1 1926 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 FIG: 12:

WITNESSES IN VEN TOR:

59 v John Mac/fay, AM By W ATTORNEYS.

J. F. M KAY Nov. 3, 1931.

INCUBATOR 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Sept. 18, 1926 FIG. 12E

INVEN TOR: John F. Ma cila BY ATTORNEYS.

Patented Nov. 3, 1931 JOHN F. MACKAY, OF LANCASTER, PENNSYLVANIA INCUBATOR' Application. filed September '18, 1926. serial no. 136,236.

This invention relates to incubators, and more particularly to cabinet incubators, i. e. of the type wherein the egg trays are arranged in spaced superposed relation Within vertical incubating and hatching chambers. In connection with the operation of such incubators, the maintenance of uniform conditions of temperature at different levels consistent with proper internal circulation and admission of proportionate amounts of fresh air, is, generally speaking, extremely diflicult in view of the height of the egg chambersand the tendency of the warmer strata of air to seek and remain at the top. To overcome this difficulty, resort has been made to mechanical means for agitating the air within the incubators, but this action is violent and therefore injurious since it has a tendency to accelerate evaporation thereby robbing the eggs of the moisture necessary to successful incubation.

My invention is directed toward ovcrc0m' ing the above, as well as other, difficulties and deficiencies attending operation of incubators of the special type referred to; and, to this end, is concerned with provision of a novel system of cooperative means capable, under thermostatic control, of maintaining a slow, steady and eficient, circulation of warm air, of unvarying predetermined. temperature, with regulated admission of proportionate amounts of fresh air to provide a continuous supply of oxygen.

A. further object of this invention is to secure the foregoing desiderata solely through the mobility inherent in air when heated, thereby obviating the necessity for employing mechanical agitating means to induce circulation; or, in other words, I maintain circulation of air exclusively by convective action.

In the drawings herewith,'Fig. I shows a I front elevation of an incubator conveniently embodying the present invention.

Fig. II is a plan sectional view of the structure, taken in accordance with the arrows IIII in Fig. I. V v

Fig. III is a cross sectional vieweon a larger scale-through one ofthe incubating chambers, taken as indicated by the arrows III- II in Fig. I.

Fig. IV is a local plan section along the plane indicated'at IV -IV in Fig. III.

Fig. V is a transverse sectional view similar to Fig. III, but showing an alternative form of this invention.

Fig. VI is a View showing, in part, the front elevation of a modified construction.

' Fig. VII is a longitudinal section on a 60 larger scale of the organization depicted in Fig. VI.

Figs. VIII and IX are plan sectional views, taken respectively as indicated by the arrows VIIIVIII and IXIX in Fig. 55 VII; and,-

Fig. X is a transverse local section, taken in accordance with the arrows X-X in Fig. VIII.

With more detailed reference first to Figs. 7 I, II,III and IV of these illustrations, 12 in dicates the incubator casing which is supported at a slight elevation above the floor level by feet shown at 13. Suitable partitioning 14 serves to divide the casing 12 into sep- 75 arate vertical chambersin the present instance, three in number, respectively indicated 15, 16 and 17, above a lower horizontal compartment 18 that extends'the full length of. the structure. This lower compartment 30 18 has a. slatted bottom 19 affording transverse interstices for free'entry and upward difiusi o-n of atmospheric air from the open space beneath. The air thus entering the compartment 18 is heated by a horizontal 95 radiator comprising a series of longitudinally-extending parallel pipes 20 thatterminate, at opposite ends, in headers or manifolds 21, with supply and return connections at 23, 24 for fluent heating medium. The sev- 9 eralch-ambers 15, 16 and 17 are individually accessible through hinged doors 25 at the front of the incubator; andthey are moreover identical in construction, and each is equipped with a removable rack not 95 shown'capable of supporting two columns of egg'trays 26 arranged in superposed spaced relation for free circulation of air through and about'them; In practice with my inven tion,-the end subdivisions 15, 17 are preferwe abl employed as incubating chambers, while the central chamber 16 is devoted solely to hatching, the egg trays being transferred to the latter from the former at the termination of the incubating period. The roof 27 of the structure is detachably supported by the end walls 28 and the vertical partitions 1-1 with provision of tri-nsverse open-ended pasabove the chambers 15, 16 and 17.

N ow since the chambers 15, 16 and 17 are identical, both as to construction and appointments, it is to be taken for granted that the description which follows of one of them will hold for all. Having reference to Fig. III, it will be observed that heated air from the compartment 18 is permitted to enter the chamber 15 through a port 30 in a removable diaphragm 31 which serves as the chamber floor. At the same time, cold air is admitted through a duct 32 that leads from an opening 33Figs. I and Ill-at the front of the structure, and terminates in a port 34 concentric within the hot air inlet port 30 aforementioned, the influx of cold air being controlled by a valve means having the form of a disc 35 adapted to cooperate with a seat 36. A co-aXia-l circular baffle 37, supported by brackets at a Silittdflfi elevation above the diaphragm 31, overlaps a considerable margin of the latter circumferentially around the port 30; and, by virtue of its position acts as a deflector to promote commingling and diffusion of the two air streams incidental to their entry into the chamber 15, A foraminous diaphragm 39also preferably rcmovableat the level of the door 25, overlies the bafiie 57 and alforcs protection to the various parts beneath, The diaphragm 40 forming the ceiling of the chamber 15 has a port 11 through which air is exhausted into the clear space 29 above, said port being protected by a suspended baiiie 42 and controlled by a valve disc i=3 which is co-axially aligned with the disc 35, associated with the cold air inlet port 34-, at the bottom of the chamber 15. The two discs 35, are coordinated for simultaneous actuation by a chain 4-5 which couples terminal eyes at the inner ends of the respective valve stems 16, 4.? having guidance centrally n the bullies 37. The valve disc assemblage is suspended from the end of a counterbalanced lever 48 that is fulcrumed at -19 and has an adjustable link connection 50 with regulatable thermostatic means 51 comprising a temperature-responsive element 52, of the wafer type, located within the incubating chamber 15. With the arrangement just described, a temperature drop with in the chamber 15 below a predetermined degree will be attended by concurrent lowering of the valve discs 35, 4:3 and closure of the fresh air and exhaust ports 34, 41. As the tempera-tine rises in the chambe' 15 resultant u on ensuing closed circulation of the heated air, the valve discs 35, 43 will be gradually lifted until normal internal atmospheric conditions are reestablished. Temperature increases above the predetermined degree will have just the opposite effect upon the thermostatic means 51, i. e. to cause lifting of the valve discs 35, 13 even higher than shown in Fig. III, ther by to induce more rapid displacement of air from within the chamber 15 for cooling. Automatic governance of the valve system by the thermostatic device 51 is accordingly such that influx of fresh air via port 3% and exhaust through the port 4.1 are at all times properly proportioned relative to the heated air entering through the port 30, so that a uniform ten'iperature is maintained within the chamber 15 notwithstanding total displacement of the circulating air at recurrent periods. In order to insure venting of a certain amount of air from the chamber 15 when the exhaust port 41 is completely closed, the valve disc i- 3 controlling the latter is provided with a number of small perforations, shown at 4:4 in

III.

The embodiment of my invention shown in Fig. V is gei'ierall y similar to the preceding, with corresponding parts identified by the same reference characters prcviouslv employed, except as to the following fer. The lower valve membe 55, in this instan e, has an open center with a depending annular flange apron 56 to constitute the inlet port for heated air from the compartment This annular flange apron 56 has I in an opening 5. through the fitting or o viding the fresh air duct t l on, said duct -.er minating in an annular port 59 having a sea. 60 for cooperation with the horizontal ripheral portion 61, of the valve member :i.

valve member is lifted into contact the battle 87, it will be noted that the a 56 serves as a closure against entry of warm air into the chamber As before, the valve members 43, 55 are couplel for multaneous actuation by the chain 45. A (llilGT- ent result is however obtained with the merit lied structure in that control is had over influx of both of the cold and heater, through the ports 56, respectively, the amounts admitted being i, inverse ratio; that is to say, when the temperature within the chamber 15 increases beyond the predetermined normal, more cold air pernii enter while influx of heated air is chm. more or less and, vice versa, with correpscnding proportionate variation in the exhaust through the upper port 1-1.

The construction shown in Figs. VI to I; inclusive involves a different valve iii-cans for accomplishing the same ultimate result described in connection with the form o i my invention shown in F V. Here, a substitute diaphragm is employed to :w the bottom of the incubating chamber 15, the

. tending through ports 68, for flow of heated air from the compartment 18, and intervening channel ports 69 for cold air flow in symmetrically arranged groups-to opposite sides of a central span 67a. The channel ports 69 aforesaid communicate at opposite ends and in pairs, with common inlet ducts 7-0 leading from the front and back of the incubator, see cold air ports 68, 69 are controlled, respectively, by centrally-pivoted vanes 71, 72 with linkage connections 73 determining closure.

of one set concurrently with opening of the other set; the two vane groups 71, 72 at opposite sides of the central span 67 a being reversely coordinated for tilting in counter directions as shown. The linkages 73 common to the two groups of vanes 71, 72 are coupled with opposing bell crank levers 7 a which are connected by links 75 with the chain 45 for concurrent actuation in opposition to the influence of a counter weight 76 associated with one of said bell crank levers. The ceiling diaphragm '77 is constructed along generally similar lines, i. e., with a perimetric frame '78 and a sheet metal inset 7 9. In this instance, however, only two flow ports 80 are shown, one at either side of a central span 81, the controlling shutter vanes 82 being arranged in corresponding groups and connected by linkages 88 to opposing bell cranks 8e adapted for counter tilting and coupled with the chain 45 through themedium of interposed links 85. On account of the greater resistance to be overcome with this form of valve means, I prefer to employ a thermostatic governing device 86-Fig. Xembodying two temperature responsive elements 87 said elements being jointly effective upon a guided pressure bar 88, having an adjustable connection 89 with a counter weighted lever arm 90, by which motion is transmitted to the valve vanes 82. The on eration of this form of my invention is thought to be clear in view of the explanation in connection with Fig. V. One advantage of this type, however, over the preceding is that by reason of the opposite inclination of the shutter vanes 71, 72 and 82, associated with the two valve controls, the air flow is deflected over a larger area, and more evenly distributed as a consequence. 7

Obviously if desired, individual thermostatic governing devices may be employed to actuate individual valve means for respectively controlling the cold and hot air ports and the exhaust port in lieu of the coordinated system hereinbefore described.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. An incubator with concentric inlet ports for the admission and circulation by convec- Figs. VI and TX. The hot and 7 air through tion only of heated and fresh air, and a discous valve common to and controlling both ports whereby flow of the heated and fresh air through said portsis proportionally regulated. r Y

2. An incubator with separate inlet ports for-heated and com mingling fresh air as well as an outlet port for exhaust air; and operatively-coordinated co-axial valve means to simultaneously control proportionate flow of air through the several ports.

3. An incubator with concentric inlet ports for the supply and circulation by convection of heated and commingling fresh air as well as a remotely-spaced aligned outlet port for exhaust air; and operatively-coordinatd coaxial valve means to simultaneously control proportionate flow of air through the several ports. I I s 4:. An incubator with separate inlet ports for the supply and circulation by convection of heated and commingling fresh air in its bottom as well. as an outlet port in its top for exhaust air; and operatively-coordinated 00- axial valve means to simultaneously control proportionate flow of air through the several ports.

5. An incubator with inter-associated-coaxial inlet ports for the supply and circulation by convection only of heated and fresh air; valve means to control proportionate flow of the heated and fresh air through said ports; and a concentric circumferentiallyoverlapping super-spaced baflie to promote commingling of the two air streams incidental to their entry into the incubator.

6. An incubator with a heating compartment at the bottom and an incubating chamber thereabove communicating with the heatting compartment and with theexterior via individual concentric hot and commingling fresh air inlet ports through its. bottom; and a unitary valve to jointly control proportionate flow of the heated and fresh air through said ports.

7 An incubator with a heating compartment at the bottom and an incubating chamber thereabove communicating, via a hot air inlet port in its bottom, with said heating compartment; an associated fresh air inlet duct leading from the exterior and terminating in a port concentric with the hot air inlet port aforesaid; and valve means to control proportionate flow of the heated and, fresh the two ports aforesaid.

8. An incubator with a heating compartpartment at the bottom and an incubating chamber thereabove communicating, via a hot air inlet port in its bottom, with said heating compartment; an associated fresh air inlet .duct leading from the exterior and terminating in a port concentric with thehot air inlet port aforesaid; and a unitary. valve to control proportionate flow of heated and fresh air through the two ports aforesaid.

iis

9. An incubator with a heating compartment at the bottom and an incubating chamber thereabove communicating with said heating compartment and with the exterior via separate concentrically arranged hot and fresh air inlet ports through its bottom, said chamber also having a coaxial exhaust port through its top; and valve means respective ly associated with the several ports aforesaid and operatively-coordinated for simultane ous actuation.

10. An incubator with a heating compartment and an incubating chamber thereabove communicating with said heating compartment and with the exterior via separate concentrically-arranged hot and fresh air inlet ports through its bottom, said chamber also having an exhaust port through its top; valve means respectively associated with the several ports aforesaid; means coordinating the valve means for simultaneous actuation to control proportionate flow through the ports; and thermostatic governing means to effect valve actuation in accordance with temperature conditions existing within the incubating chamber.

11. An incubator with concentric inlet ports for the supply and circulation by convection only of heated and commingling fresh air and a spacedly-located aligning outlet port, and operatively-coordinated lift valves to control proportionate flow of air through the inlet ports in inverse ratio, as well as exhaust by way of the outlet port, to maintain a necessary predetermined temperature within the incubator.

12. An incubator with means providing concentric inlet ports for the separate supply and circulation by convection only of heated and commingling fresh air, and an associated unitary valve embodying a tubular portion with a horizontal peripheral flange, such tubular portion having guidance in the inner concentric port and the valve controlling proportionate air flow through the concentric ports in inverse ratio.

18. An incubator with means providing concentric inlet ports, the outer of which is annular, for the respective supply and circulation by convection only of heated and commingling fresh air; an annular flanged valve coaxially movable relative to said ports, the flange whereof opens and closes the annular port, said valve controlling proportionate flow through the ports of heated and fresh air in inverse proportion; and thermostatic means governing said valve in accordance with temperature conditions existing within the incubator.

14. An incubator with means providing an inner port with a surrounding outer annular concentric port of different area, said ports serving for the respective inlet and circulation by convection only of heated and fresh air; a discous valve movable co-axially relative to said ports to'control proportionate flow of the heated and fresh air therethrough, and a spaced circular baffle plate supported at an elevation above both ports and overlapping a considerable margin of the outer annular port to promote commingling of the two air streams incidental to their entry into the incubator.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto signed my name at Lancaster, Pennsylvania, this 13th day of September, 1926.

JOHN F. MAGKAY. 

